The Toronto Argonauts have assembled an interesting list for their vacant head coaching position.
Sportsnet.ca has learned some of the candidates include onetime New York Giants' head coach Jim Fassel, Green Bay Packers' quarterback coach Tom Clements and former Argo quarterbacks Doug Flutie and Damon Allen.
Fassel, currently working as a color commentator for NFL game broadcasts on Westwood One radio, worked for the Giants beginning in the late '90s.
In 1997, he was named NFL Coach of the Year and led the Giants to the NFC Championship in 2000. He was fired midway through the 2003 season.
He worked in 2004-2005 as offensive co-ordinator of Baltimore Ravens.
The Argos view Fassel as someone who fits the profile of Montreal Alouettes' head coach Marc Trestman, a veteran position coach in the NFL with experience working with high-profile quarterbacks.
Trestman had virtually no CFL experience except for working three days as a guest coach with Montreal last year in training camp.
Similar to Trestman, Fassel played quarterback in college.
Fassel could not be reached for comment, but more than one source confirmed he is on the list and there have been discussions between Fassel and the Argos.
Argos general manager Adam Rita would not address the team's interest in Fassel, obeying the Canadian Football League's embargo on publicly discussing any team business during Grey Cup week.
"What we're doing now is quite irrelevant," he said. "We have a quiet time here."
The Argos will begin the formal interview process next week and hope to have a head coach in place by Christmas, sources told Sportsnet.ca.
The list of candidates is between 15 to 25 people.
Clements, a star quarterback with Ottawa in the ‘70s, has long been whispered as a head coaching candidate in the CFL because of a lengthy history in the NFL as an offensive co-ordinator or quarterbacks coach. Because he is under contract, it is known the Argos can't contact him, but that doesn't mean they can't consider him as a candidate -- and they do.
The Argos would ideally like a candidate with a background in offence. A nameworthy candidate would create interest and excitement.
It's believed there are some other candidates with NFL backgrounds the Argos are viewing.
Flutie, who played for the Argos in 1996 and '97 and quarterbacked the team to back-to-back Grey Cups, is working for ABC/ESPN as a college football analyst. Those who know him say he would listen to the Argos and that there has already been dialogue with the team, but he doesn't aspire to coach.
Allen, who retired in May after a brilliant career that began in 1985 with Edmonton, has publicly stated in the past he would like to become a head coach someday.
The Argos have an interest in some assistant coaches in this year's Grey Cup, namely Calgary offensive co-ordinator George Cortez. Stamps' head coach John Hufnagel said on Wednesday Cortez would make a great head coach, but chose not to elaborate further. Depending on who you talk to, Cortez would like the Argo job under the right circumstances, including total autonomy, or is quite content in his current role and won't move unless it's the ideal situation.
B.C. defensive co-ordinator Mike Benevides is also a candidate, sources claim.
University of Buffalo offensive co-ordinator Danny Barrett, a onetime head coach of the Saskatchewan Roughriders, is considered one of the A-list candidates, but he may be content in his current post. Bulls' head coach Turner Gill, a onetime star quarterback at Nebraska and a CFL player with Montreal, is considered a rising star in the National Collegiate Athletic Association and could be headed for a promotion to a higher-profile school. Barrett could join him or take over his job if that situation transpires.
Saskatchewan defensive co-ordinator Richie Hall is on the list.
Former Winnipeg and B.C. head coach Dave Ritchie is another candidate.
